10701544

Validating and Supplementing Emergency Call Information Removing Private Information

PublishedJune 30, 2020
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Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method comprising: deriving, from features of a normalized signal version of an emergency call signal, a probability that the emergency call signal originated from a location, wherein the normalized signal version is a dimensionally reduced version of the emergency call signal; accessing an additional normalized signal within a specified distance of the location; determining that the additional normalized signal includes user information; removing at least a portion of the user information from the additional normalized signal; validating the location from features of the additional signal subsequent to removing the at least a portion of the user information; detecting an event from the features of the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal based on the validated location; associating the validated location with an obtained event truthfulness probability for the event; and sending the event to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency call signal processing and location validation for public safety. The method addresses challenges in accurately determining the origin of emergency calls and validating location data while preserving privacy. The process begins by analyzing a normalized, dimensionally reduced version of an emergency call signal to estimate the probability that the call originated from a specific location. The system then accesses another normalized signal within a specified distance of the estimated location. If this additional signal contains user information, the system removes at least part of this identifying data before validating the location using features of the sanitized signal. The method further detects an event from the original normalized signal based on the validated location and associates the location with an event truthfulness probability. Finally, the event and validated location are sent to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for emergency response. The technique ensures location accuracy while protecting user privacy by stripping sensitive information before validation. The dimensional reduction of signals helps streamline processing and improve efficiency in emergency call handling.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a severity based on characteristics of the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal and the additional normalized signal; and associating the severity with the event.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency call signal processing, specifically improving the analysis of emergency calls by incorporating additional normalized signal data to enhance event detection and severity assessment. The method involves receiving an emergency call signal and an additional signal, such as a background noise or environmental sensor data, from the same or a nearby device. Both signals are normalized to a common format to ensure compatibility and accuracy in analysis. The normalized signals are then compared to identify discrepancies or patterns indicative of an emergency event. The method further determines the severity of the event by analyzing characteristics of the normalized signals, such as amplitude, frequency, or temporal patterns. The severity level is then associated with the detected event, enabling prioritization and more effective emergency response. This approach improves the reliability and granularity of emergency event detection by leveraging multiple data sources and quantitative severity assessment.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein accessing an additional normalized signal comprises accessing the additional normalized signal that includes one or more of: confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry information (PCI).

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to systems for processing and securing sensitive data, particularly in environments where multiple types of confidential information must be handled. The problem addressed is the need to protect various categories of sensitive data, including confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), and Payment Card Industry (PCI) data, during processing and transmission. The invention involves accessing and managing normalized signals that contain such sensitive data, ensuring that the information is properly secured and handled according to relevant regulations and security protocols. The method includes techniques for identifying, categorizing, and protecting these different types of sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access or breaches. By integrating these security measures into the data processing workflow, the invention ensures compliance with legal and industry standards while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the information. The approach is designed to be flexible, accommodating various types of sensitive data without compromising system performance or usability.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing at least a portion of the user information from the additional normalized signal comprises removing one or more of: confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry information (PCI) from the additional normalized signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to data processing systems that handle sensitive information, particularly in healthcare or financial contexts. The problem addressed is the need to protect confidential data while still allowing useful analysis of signals containing such information. The invention involves a method for processing signals that include user information, where the goal is to remove sensitive data while preserving the analytical value of the remaining signal. The method involves receiving a signal containing user information and generating an additional normalized signal from it. The key step is removing at least a portion of the user information from this normalized signal. Specifically, the method removes one or more types of sensitive data, including confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry (PCI) data. This ensures compliance with privacy regulations while maintaining the usability of the signal for further processing or analysis. The removal process is selective, allowing the system to strip out only the necessary sensitive data while retaining other non-sensitive information that may still be valuable for analysis. This approach is particularly useful in environments where data privacy is critical, such as healthcare, finance, or any industry handling regulated personal data. The method ensures that sensitive information is not exposed while still enabling the extraction of meaningful insights from the remaining data.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising listening for additional normalized signals in geo cells within the specified distance of the location prior to accessing the additional normalized signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a system for processing and analyzing signals, particularly in a distributed or networked environment. The problem addressed is the efficient and accurate collection, normalization, and analysis of signals from multiple sources, especially when these signals are geographically distributed. The invention provides a method to improve signal processing by dynamically adjusting the collection and analysis of signals based on their geographic proximity to a specified location. The method involves accessing a normalized signal associated with a location, where the signal has been processed to ensure consistency in format and content. The system then determines a specified distance from the location and identifies a set of geo cells (geographic areas) within that distance. Before accessing additional normalized signals from these geo cells, the system listens for or monitors these signals to assess their relevance or quality. This pre-access monitoring step helps filter out irrelevant or low-quality signals, improving the efficiency of the signal processing workflow. The method ensures that only the most relevant signals are further analyzed, reducing computational overhead and enhancing accuracy. The invention is particularly useful in applications such as environmental monitoring, traffic analysis, or any system requiring real-time or near-real-time processing of geographically distributed data. By dynamically adjusting signal collection based on proximity, the system optimizes resource usage and improves the reliability of the processed data.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein deriving the probability that the emergency call signal originated from the location comprises deriving the location from an audio overlay indicating a location of the emergency call signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency call systems, specifically improving the accuracy of determining the origin location of an emergency call signal. The problem addressed is the difficulty in precisely identifying the location of an emergency caller, which can delay response times and hinder emergency services. The solution involves analyzing an audio overlay embedded in the emergency call signal to extract location data. The audio overlay contains encoded information indicating the caller's location, which is then decoded to derive the probability that the call originated from that specific location. This method enhances the reliability of location determination by leveraging embedded audio data rather than relying solely on traditional methods like GPS or network triangulation. The system may also incorporate additional techniques, such as signal strength analysis or caller input verification, to further refine the location accuracy. By integrating audio-based location data, the invention aims to provide faster and more precise emergency response coordination.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the event to the PSAP comprises sending the event to the PSAP prior to a carrier network sending phase II data to the PSAP.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency communication systems, specifically improving the transmission of event data to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in wireless networks. The problem addressed is the delay in providing critical event information to emergency responders, which can hinder rapid response times. The solution involves sending event data to the PSAP before the carrier network transmits phase II data, ensuring faster dissemination of relevant information. The method includes detecting an emergency event, such as a 911 call or an automated alert, and generating event data that includes details like location, device information, and incident type. This data is then transmitted directly to the PSAP without waiting for the carrier network to process and send phase II data, which typically includes additional call details and caller information. By prioritizing the event data transmission, the system ensures that emergency responders receive critical information sooner, potentially improving response times and outcomes. The invention may also involve validating the event data before transmission to ensure accuracy and relevance, and it may integrate with existing emergency communication protocols to maintain compatibility with current systems. The approach is particularly useful in scenarios where rapid decision-making is crucial, such as medical emergencies, natural disasters, or active threats. The method can be implemented in wireless networks, mobile devices, or emergency alert systems to enhance their effectiveness.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal that includes other user information; and removing at least a portion of the other user information from the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal; and wherein detecting an event from the features of the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal comprises detecting the event subsequent to removing the at least a portion of the other user information from the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency call signal processing, specifically improving event detection by handling user information in the signal. Emergency calls often contain additional user data that can interfere with accurate event detection, such as background noise, speech patterns, or metadata. The method processes an emergency call signal by first normalizing it to standardize the signal format. After normalization, the system receives the signal and removes at least some of the extraneous user information, such as non-emergency audio or metadata, to isolate relevant event indicators. The event detection then analyzes the cleaned signal to identify critical events, such as distress signals or environmental hazards, with higher accuracy. By stripping away irrelevant data before analysis, the system enhances the reliability of event detection in emergency scenarios. This approach ensures that emergency response systems can focus on actionable information while minimizing interference from non-critical data. The method is particularly useful in automated emergency response systems where rapid and accurate event identification is crucial.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein receiving the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal comprises receiving the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal that includes one or more of: confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry information (PCI).

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency call systems, specifically addressing the secure handling of sensitive data during emergency communications. The method involves processing an emergency call signal to generate a normalized signal version that preserves critical information while ensuring the protection of sensitive data. The normalized signal version may include confidential information, patient data, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry (PCI) data. The system ensures that such sensitive information is handled securely, preventing unauthorized access or exposure during transmission or processing. The method may also involve analyzing the emergency call signal to detect and extract relevant data, such as location or medical details, while maintaining compliance with privacy regulations. The normalized signal version is then transmitted to appropriate emergency response systems or authorized personnel, ensuring timely and secure dissemination of necessary information. This approach enhances emergency response efficiency while safeguarding sensitive user data.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein removing at least a portion of the other user information from the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal comprises removing one or more of: confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry information (PCI) from the normalized signal version of an emergency call signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to processing emergency call signals to remove sensitive user information while preserving critical emergency data. The method involves normalizing an emergency call signal to a standardized format and then selectively removing specific types of user information from the normalized signal. The removed information may include confidential details, patient records, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry (PCI) data. The goal is to ensure that emergency responders receive only the necessary information for handling the emergency while protecting the privacy and security of the caller. The normalization process standardizes the signal format, making it easier to identify and extract sensitive data. The method ensures compliance with privacy regulations and reduces the risk of unauthorized access to personal information during emergency communications. This approach is particularly useful in systems where emergency calls are processed through automated or semi-automated systems, ensuring that sensitive data is filtered out before reaching responders or being stored in databases. The invention enhances both emergency response efficiency and data security.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. A system comprising: a processor; system memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions configured to cause the processor to: derive, from features of a normalized signal version of an emergency call signal, a probability that the emergency call signal originated from a location, wherein the normalized signal version is a dimensionally reduced version of the emergency call signal; access an additional normalized signal within a specified distance of the location; determine that the additional normalized signal includes user information; remove at least a portion of the user information from the additional normalized signal; validate the location from features of the additional signal subsequent to removing the at least a portion of the user information; detect an event from the features of the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal based on the validated location; associate the validated location with an obtained event truthfulness probability for the event; and send the event to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency call signal processing and location validation for public safety systems. The system addresses the challenge of accurately determining the origin of emergency calls while protecting user privacy. It processes an emergency call signal by first normalizing and dimensionally reducing the signal to extract key features. These features are used to derive a probability that the call originated from a specific location. The system then accesses additional normalized signals within a specified distance of the proposed location. If these signals contain user information, the system removes or anonymizes this data before validating the location using the remaining signal features. The validated location is then used to detect and assess the truthfulness of an event reported in the emergency call. The event, along with its associated truthfulness probability, is sent to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for further action. The system ensures accurate location verification while maintaining privacy by handling user information responsibly.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to: determine a severity based on characteristics of the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal and the additional normalized signal; and associate the severity with the event.

Plain English Translation

The invention relates to emergency call signal processing systems designed to enhance emergency response accuracy. The system receives an emergency call signal, such as a distress call from a vehicle or device, and processes it to extract relevant information. It normalizes the emergency call signal to standardize its format and content, ensuring compatibility with analysis tools. The system also obtains an additional normalized signal, which may include contextual data like location, sensor readings, or environmental conditions. By comparing the normalized emergency call signal with the additional normalized signal, the system identifies correlations or discrepancies that indicate the nature of the emergency. The system then determines the severity of the event based on characteristics of both signals, such as signal strength, frequency, or pattern deviations. This severity assessment is associated with the event to prioritize response actions. The system may also generate alerts or notifications based on the severity, ensuring timely and appropriate emergency response. The invention improves emergency response efficiency by providing a structured, data-driven approach to assessing and categorizing emergency events.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein instructions configured to access an additional normalized signal comprises instructions configured to access the additional normalized signal that includes one or more of: confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry information (PCI).

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a system for processing and analyzing normalized signals, particularly those containing sensitive or confidential data. The system is designed to handle signals that include confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry (PCI) data. The system includes a processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed, perform various functions. These functions include accessing and processing normalized signals, which are standardized data formats that may contain highly sensitive information. The system ensures secure handling of such data, likely through encryption, access controls, or other security measures. The normalized signals may be derived from multiple sources, such as medical records, financial transactions, or personal databases, and the system processes them to extract meaningful insights while maintaining data integrity and confidentiality. The invention addresses the challenge of securely managing and analyzing sensitive data across different domains, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and protecting against unauthorized access.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein instructions configured to remove at least a portion of the user information from the additional normalized signal comprise instructions configured to remove one or more of: confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry information (PCI) from the additional normalized signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a system for processing and securing sensitive data within a normalized signal. The system addresses the challenge of protecting confidential and personal information in data processing environments, particularly in healthcare, financial, and other regulated industries where data privacy is critical. The system includes components for normalizing signals containing user information, such as patient records, financial transactions, or other sensitive data, into a standardized format. Once normalized, the system selectively removes specific types of sensitive information to ensure compliance with privacy regulations. The removal process targets confidential information, patient data, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), and Payment Card Industry (PCI) data. By stripping these elements from the normalized signal, the system mitigates the risk of unauthorized access or exposure while preserving the utility of the remaining data for analysis or processing. The system is designed to operate in environments where data privacy is paramount, ensuring that sensitive details are redacted before further use or transmission. This approach enhances security without compromising the integrity of the underlying data structure.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to listen for additional normalized signals in geo cells within the specified distance of the location prior to accessing the one or more additional normalized signals.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a system for processing and analyzing signals, particularly in a geospatial context. The system is designed to address challenges in efficiently collecting, normalizing, and utilizing signal data from multiple sources within a defined geographic area. The core functionality involves receiving signals from various sources, normalizing these signals to a common format, and storing them in a data repository. The system then accesses and processes these normalized signals to generate insights or perform specific tasks, such as location-based analysis or event detection. A key feature of the system is its ability to dynamically adjust the geographic scope of signal collection. The system can define a geographic area, or "geo cell," and specify a distance parameter to determine the range within which signals should be collected. Before accessing additional normalized signals, the system listens for new signals within these geo cells, ensuring that the data being processed is both relevant and up-to-date. This dynamic adjustment helps optimize resource usage and improves the accuracy of the analysis by focusing on the most relevant data. The system also includes mechanisms to filter and prioritize signals based on predefined criteria, such as signal strength, source reliability, or temporal relevance. This ensures that the most significant signals are processed first, enhancing the efficiency of the system. The overall goal is to provide a robust framework for geospatial signal processing that can adapt to changing conditions and requirements.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein instructions configured to derive the probability that the emergency call signal originated from the location comprise instructions configured to derive the location from features of an audio overlay indicating a location of the emergency call signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency call signal processing systems that determine the likelihood of an emergency call originating from a specific location. The system addresses the challenge of accurately identifying the source location of emergency calls, which is critical for dispatching appropriate emergency response. The system processes audio signals from emergency calls to extract location-relevant features from an audio overlay embedded in the call. These features, such as background noise patterns, speech characteristics, or encoded location data, are analyzed to derive the probability that the call originated from a particular location. The system may also compare these features against a database of known location profiles to enhance accuracy. By leveraging audio analysis, the system improves emergency response efficiency by reducing reliance on manual caller input and mitigating errors from misreported locations. The invention is particularly useful in scenarios where traditional GPS or network-based location methods are unavailable or unreliable.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein instructions configured to send the event to the PSAP comprise instructions configured to send the event to the PSAP prior to a carrier network sending phase II data to the PSAP.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency communication systems, specifically improving the transmission of event data to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in wireless networks. The problem addressed is the delay in delivering critical event information to emergency responders, which can hinder rapid response times. The system enhances emergency call handling by ensuring that event data is sent to the PSAP before the carrier network transmits phase II data, which typically includes location and additional caller details. This early transmission allows PSAPs to receive essential information sooner, potentially improving response coordination. The system includes a network entity that processes event data, such as device status or environmental conditions, and prioritizes its delivery to the PSAP. The network entity may also validate the event data before transmission to ensure accuracy. The system integrates with existing wireless network infrastructure, including base stations and core network components, to facilitate seamless data exchange. By sending event data ahead of phase II data, the system reduces latency in emergency communications, enabling faster decision-making by emergency personnel. The invention is particularly useful in scenarios where immediate situational awareness is critical, such as during natural disasters or medical emergencies.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The system of claim 11 , further comprising instructions configured to: receive the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal that includes other user information; and remove at least a portion of the other user information from the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal; and wherein instructions configured to detect an event from the features of the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal comprise instructions configured to detect the event subsequent to removing the at least a portion of the other user information from the normalized signal version of the emergency call signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency call signal processing systems designed to enhance event detection by filtering out extraneous user information. The system receives an emergency call signal, which may contain additional user data that could interfere with accurate event detection. The system normalizes the signal to standardize its format and then processes it to remove at least some of this extraneous user information. After filtering, the system analyzes the normalized signal to detect events, such as emergencies, based on the remaining features. This approach ensures that irrelevant data does not distort event detection, improving the reliability of emergency response systems. The system may also include components for signal normalization, feature extraction, and event classification, all working together to provide a more accurate and efficient emergency detection process. By isolating the relevant signal features from user-specific data, the system enhances its ability to identify critical events while minimizing false positives. This method is particularly useful in environments where emergency calls may contain varying levels of background noise or additional metadata that could otherwise obscure the detection of genuine emergencies.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein instructions configured to receive the normalized signal version of an emergency call signal comprise instructions configured to receive the normalized signal version of an emergency call signal that includes one or more of: confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry information (PCI).

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a system for processing emergency call signals, particularly focusing on the secure handling of sensitive data within such signals. The system is designed to address the challenge of protecting confidential and personally identifiable information (PII) during emergency communications, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations while maintaining the integrity of critical data. The system includes a component that receives a normalized version of an emergency call signal, which may contain various types of sensitive information such as patient data, personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry (PCI) data. This normalization process ensures that the signal is standardized for further processing while preserving the confidentiality and security of the embedded information. The system is configured to handle multiple types of sensitive data, allowing it to adapt to different regulatory requirements and use cases in emergency response scenarios. By integrating this capability, the system enhances the security and privacy of emergency communications, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information while ensuring that critical data remains accessible to authorized personnel. This approach is particularly valuable in healthcare, financial, and other sectors where the protection of personal and confidential information is paramount. The system's ability to process and secure diverse types of sensitive data makes it a robust solution for modern emergency communication networks.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein instructions configured to remove at least a portion of the other user information from the normalized signal version of an emergency call signal comprise instructions configured to remove one or more of: confidential information, patient information, personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), or Payment Card Industry information (PCI) from the normalized signal version of an emergency call signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to emergency call signal processing systems designed to protect sensitive user information while ensuring critical data remains intact for emergency responders. The system processes emergency call signals, such as those from medical alert devices or emergency services, to normalize the signal format for compatibility across different systems. A key feature is the selective removal of sensitive information from the normalized signal to comply with privacy regulations and security standards. The system identifies and removes specific types of confidential data, including personally identifiable information (PII), personal health information (PHI), sensitive personal information (SPI), and Payment Card Industry (PCI) data, while preserving essential details necessary for emergency response. The removal process ensures that only non-sensitive information is transmitted or stored, reducing privacy risks without compromising the functionality of the emergency call system. This approach enhances data security while maintaining the integrity of critical emergency communications.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

June 30, 2020

Inventors

Damien Patton
Rish Mehta
Christian Gratton
Michael B. Dodd

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VALIDATING AND SUPPLEMENTING EMERGENCY CALL INFORMATION REMOVING PRIVATE INFORMATION